Paul Manafort Gets Christmas Wish from Judge

Photo by Christopher Keating

New Britain native Paul Manafort, shown here talking to the Connecticut delegation during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, has been granted permission by a federal judge to visit his home in the Hamptons for Christmas.

New Britain native Paul Manafort, shown here talking to the Connecticut delegation during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, has been granted permission by a federal judge to visit his home in the Hamptons for Christmas. (Photo by Christopher Keating)

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has gotten his Christmas wish from a federal judge.

Manafort, who wears an ankle bracelet after being indicted on multiple felony charges of tax fraud and money laundering, will be permitted to visit his home in the Hamptons on Long Island for Christmas.

Manafort has been under close scrutiny by federal authorities, and he was released on bail following his indictment by special prosecutor Robert Mueller in connection with his private business dealings in Ukraine. As a result, Manafort needed special permission from U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson in federal court in order to travel to the eastern end of Long Island.

Manafort served as chairman of Republican Donald Trump’s campaign in 2016 before and during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. He spoke to the Connecticut delegates at a hotel before the convention activities one morning, and the delegates credited Manafort with the front-row seats that they secured at the convention. At some previous conventions, Connecticut, with only seven electoral votes, had been placed near the back of the hall.

A frequent international traveler, Manafort had been under house arrest at his Virginia condominium and has been unable to travel freely since his indictment. His bail agreement was modified to allow him to travel to Florida, and his attorney made a request for the trip to the Hamptons so that family members could easily gather in one spot for the holidays at the 10-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion in an estate area in Bridgehampton.